June 23, 2021

Exceptional. That’s how to describe Kathy Bradley in one word.

Honoring the Memory of Kelley Mullen

Kathy Bradley is the patient services administrator in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and the 2021 recipient of the Kelley Mullen Clinical Service Award: An annual award that recognizes a clinical support staff member who consistently demonstrates exceptional levels of courtesy, responsiveness and customer service. This award, given by Washington University School of Medicine, honors Kelley Mullen - a gifted nurse-clinician and administrator who exemplified service quality and personified the School’s clinical mission.

Kathy’s dedication to patients, families, staff and providers embodies Kelley Mullen’s life mission, and Kathy's consistent demonstration of caring goes beyond that of standard patient service.

Dynamic Healthcare Landscape

Kathy manages the call center for WashU Orthopedics, which means she and her team receive and respond to all appointment inquiries - both online and via phone - from patients and physician offices. In a year that has been stressful in every aspect of health care, Kathy and her team have taken on more than most. They are the first line of contact for our patients, families and referring providers, and Kathy works rapidly and efficiently, responding to needs in an evolving environment. She improves processes and quickly adapts to new care models, like virtual care.  

During the dynamic healthcare landscape of COVID, Kathy and her team took on prescreening orthopedic patients prior to arrival, and informed patients/families of our ever-changing visitor policies. Between all of our locations, WashU Orthopedics see hundreds of patients daily and Kathy devotedly led her team to success under challenging circumstances. 

A Reliable Go-To

A testament to her skill and reliability, Kathy is a “go-to” in the department. She consistently supports providers and colleagues, from template changes to patient scheduling needs. She is a phone call away and is always willing to help.

"I am truly humbled to receive this award named in honor of someone I admired so much," shares Kathy. "Kelley was a wonderful mentor, but more importantly, she was an amazing human being. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work with her. 2021 marks my 40th year in orthopedics, most of which have been spent at Washington University. I am grateful to have to worked with and learned from so many outstanding physicians, leaders, and coworkers." 

Sincere Thanks

"Kathy Bradley is orthopedic surgery’s secret weapon. Her commitment to our patients and to this department is remarkable. No patient request or need is unmet," says Charles Goldfarb, MD - Professor and Executive Vice Chair for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. "We are so fortunate to have Kathy guiding our appointment center. Kathy represents many of the characteristics that Kelly Mullen exemplified, and this award is well deserved."

The department of orthopedic surgery, and Washington University as a whole, is a better place because of Kathy Bradley. Like Kelley Mullen, Kathy is irreplaceable as a leader, colleague and friend, and we are so proud to have her on our team.

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